Asian pear tree, 85.10-23

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of Asian pear tree ( Pyrus pyrifolia ) and which is denominated as 85.10-23 is described, and which produces a yellow colored white fleshed fruit which is mature for harvesting and shipment during the second and third weeks of July under the ecological conditions prevailing in the San Joaquin Valley of central California.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new novel and distinct variety of Asian pear tree, Pyrus pyrifolia, and which has been denominated varietally as 85.10-23.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION—ORIGIN

The present variety of Asian pear tree is the result of a controlled hybridization made by the inventor during the spring of 1984. This hybridization took place on the inventor's property which was then located at 7685 North Thompson Avenue, Clovis, Calif.

The new variety of Asian pear tree was the result of a cross involving the Asian pear variety “Kosui” (unpatented), which was the female or seed parent, and which further was hybridized by the Asian pear variety “Yakumo” (unpatented), and which was the male or pollen parent. To accomplish this hybridization, flowers of the female parent “Kosui” were emasculated to prevent pollination by insects. Thereafter the pollen of the “Yakumo” variety was collected and physically placed on the stigmas of the emasculated “Kosui” flowers to effect cross-pollination. Seeds from this cross-pollination were later harvested at the end of the 1984 growing season. These seeds were then subsequently planted in the spring of 1985 and resulted in a group of seedlings that were given the numerical designation 85.10. This family of seedlings were observed during the 1985 and 1986 growing seasons.

At the end of the 1986 growing season, 22 seedlings were then selected for propagation onto larger, mature trees of the “Yakumo” Asian pear variety (unpatented). These trees were growing in a cultivated area in Clovis, Calif. The initial selection of seedlings was based upon the vigor of the seedling, and the vegetative characteristics. The propagation of the seedling in the existing “Yakumo” Asian pear trees also provided an opportunity for direct comparison of the fruit which were eventually borne on the seedling grafts with the fruit produced by the “Yakumo” Asian pear trees, on the same tree, and in the same geographic location.

Fruit of the present variety was observed during the 1989 growing season. The present seedling was identified as superior to others growing at that time.

The first propagation of the Asian pear variety 85.10-23 occurred during the spring of 1990. In this regard, the subsequent trees were propagated by grafting the selection onto one year old seedlings of Pyrus betulaefolia pear rootstock (unpatented), and which is a common rootstock used in commercial Asian pear production. Fruit was produced by these propagated trees in 1992, and significant numbers were produced in 1993 and 1994. The fruit produced by these propagated trees have been compared against the original variety and the fruit appears identical in all respects to the first fruit borne on the seedling grafts noted above.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

85.10-23 is a new and distinct variety of Asian pear tree which produces fruit which is normally ripe for harvesting and shipment under the ecological conditions prevailing near Newcastle, Calif. during the second and third weeks of July. In relative comparison to the fruit produced by the “Yakumo” Asian pear tree, the present variety is distinguishable therefrom, inasmuch as the “Yakumo” variety of Asian pear tree produces relatively small and round shaped fruit. Whereas the present variety of Asian pear tree produces medium to large sized fruit which is slightly variable in fruit form from globose to somewhat turbinate in its lateral aspect. In relative comparison to the “Kosui” Asian pear tree, which produces fruit having a golden yellow to a tan skin color, the present variety is distinguishable by producing a fruit having a yellow-greenish skin which has occasional darker green mottling. In relative comparison to the “Shinsui” Asian pear tree with which the present variety is most clearly similar relative to its harvesting date, the present variety is distinguishable therefrom inasmuch as the “Shinsui” variety produces a fruit which has a russeted golden-brown skin color, and which has an ovate, small to medium sized shape. Still further, in relative comparison to the “Shinseiki” variety of Asian pear tree, which produces fruit having a similar skin color, the present variety of Asian pear tree is distinguishable therefrom inasmuch as the fruit of the “Shinseiki” Asian pear tree has a fruit shape which is flat-round, whereas the present variety has a nearly globose to somewhat turbinate shape in its lateral aspects. Moreover, the date of harvesting of the present variety of Asian pear tree 85.10-23 occurs at least two weeks before the Asian pear variety “Shinseiki” at the same geographical location.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawing which is provided is a color photograph of the present Asian pear variety. The photograph depicts three whole mature fruit, additionally one fruit has been divided in half to show the flesh coloration. A vegetative shoot bearing typical leaves is also shown. The external coloration of the fruit as shown is sufficiently matured for harvesting and shipment. The colors as seen in this photograph are as nearly true as is reasonably possible in a color representation of this type. Due to chemical development, processing and printing, the leaves and fruit depicted in these photographs may or may not be accurate when compared to the actual specimen. For this reason, future color reference should be made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 3^(rd) Edition and which was published in 1995.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new and distinct variety of Asian pear tree, the following has been observed from a thirteen year old tree of the subject variety during the 2004 growing season, and under the ecological conditions prevailing in a cultivated area which is located near Highway 193 and Fowler Road at Newcastle, Calif. All major color code designations are by reference to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 3^(rd) Edition published in 1995.

-   Tree:     -   -   Size.—Average for the species.         -   Vigor.—Vigorous and hardy under typical central San Joaquin             Valley climatic conditions.         -   Tree form.—Considered upright to upright spreading.         -   Tree height.—When measured at the end of the 2004 growing             season, the present variety had a height of about 3.3 to             about 3.4 meters. This growth included about 0.9 to about             1.4 meters of the current season's growth.         -   Tree crown.—Width — Approximately 1.5 meters. Trees of the             present variety are growing in an orchard where spacing             between the adjacent trees is about 1.4 meters, and the             respective rows of trees are approximately 3.4 meters apart.             The trees of the present variety are annually pruned into a             narrow-upright vase training system. The trees of the             subject invention are currently propagated on Pyrus             betulaefolia pear rootstock (unpatented), and which is a             standard pear rootstock species used for commercially             propagating Asian pear trees.         -   Productivity.—Productive.         -   Regularity of bearing.—Regular. -   Trunk:     -   -   Trunk diameter.—When measured at a distance of approximately             20 centimeters from the ground level and elevationally above             the lower Pyrus betulaefolia rootstock, the variety has a             trunk diameter of approximately 11 centimeters.         -   Bark.—Surface Texture — Moderately cracked and roughened.             However, some broad smooth areas are present.         -   Bark color.—Considered medium grey (Fan #4, Sheet 197-C).         -   Bark lenticels.—Numbers — Numerous and appearing roughened             on their surfaces.         -   Lenticels.—Color — Dark grey (Fan #4, Sheet 201-A).         -   Lenticels.—Shape — Considered oval.         -   Lenticels.—Size — Approximately 1.0 to about 6.0 millimeters             in width, and from about 1.0 to about 3.0 millimeters in             height. -   Branches:     -   -   Size.—Considered normal in diameter for the species. The             main scaffold branches of the observed tree range in             diameter from about 4.0 to about 6.0 centimeters when             measured at the base of the scaffold.         -   Surface texture.—Scaffold branches appear slightly smoother             than the trunk surface, but have approximately the same grey             color (Fan #4, Sheet 197-C).         -   Lenticels.—The lenticels seen on the branches appear to have             the same development as that of the trunk, noted above.         -   Upper branches.—Size — The upper spreader branches range in             size from about 1.8 to about 3.0 centimeters in diameter at             their bases, while smaller hanger branches vary in thickness             from about 1.1 to about 1.6 centimeters.         -   Surface texture.—Older branches — Two year old or older             branches appear to have a netted surface texture, and             further have numerous medium brown colored and calloused             lenticels (Fan #4, Sheet 164-C).         -   Older branches.—Color — Grey-brown in color and nearly             glabrous in surface texture (Fan #4, Sheet 201B).         -   One year old shoots and spurs.—Color — Considered brownish             in color (Fan #4, Sheet 165-A) and having a moderately             pubescent surface texture.         -   Current season's shoots.—Color — Dark brown (Fan #4, Sheet             177-A). These current season's shoots have a moderately             pubescent surface texture.         -   Actively growing shoots.—Color — Light green (Fan #3, Sheet             138-A). Actively growing shoots have a highly pubescent             surface texture of medium length. The pubescence appears             wooly.         -   Expanding shoot tips and young leaves.—Color — Considered             Orange-bronze in coloration (Fan #4, Sheet 172-C).         -   Internode length.—When measured on upright vigorous shoots,             this ranges from about 4.5 to 7.5 centimeters between             adjacent nodes. The length between the nodes as seen on             smaller lateral shoots ranges from about 3.0 to about 5.5             centimeters, and the length between those nodes as appearing             on spurs range from about 0.5 to about 1.5 centimeters. -   Leaves:     -   -   Size.—Generally — Considered medium to large for the             species. The measurements which follow have been taken from             leaves growing near mid-shoot on vigorously growing current             season's shoots.         -   Leaf length.—About 12.5 to about 18.9 centimeters including             the leaf petiole.         -   Leaf width.—About 7.7 to about 11.6 centimeters.         -   Leaf thickness.—Considered normal for the species.         -   Surface texture.—Young immature leaves are highly pubescent             on both the upper and lower leaf surfaces. As these leaves             mature however, much of this pubescence is lost.         -   Mature leaf texture—Very slightly rugose. No glands are             evident on the leaf.         -   Leaf form.—Generally — Considered variable from broadly             lanceolate to ovate.         -   Leaf apices.—Shape — Acute and at times curled backward from             the upper leaf surface. Most leaves appear somewhat folded             upwards.         -   Leaf surface.—Texture — The leaf surfaces along the mid-vein             are at times slightly wavy.         -   Leaf color.—Mature leaves — The upper leaf surface appears             dark green (Fan #3, Sheet 137-A); and the lower surfaces are             a lighter green in color (Fan #3, Sheet 138-B).         -   Color.—Mid-Vein — The primary mid-vein on the lower leaf             surface is a pale yellow-green (Fan #3, Sheet 145-C).         -   Leaf margins.—Generally — Considered serrate and tipped with             narrow, soft, sharp spines.         -   Serrations.—Size — Moderately large.         -   Leaf margins.—Shape — Slightly undulate.         -   Leaf petiole.—Size — Considered average and short, and             further having a length of about 1.8 to about 4.5             centimeters, and a thickness of about 1.5 to 2.5 millimeters             when measured at approximately mid-petiole.         -   Petiole base.—Shape — Typically considered wider and at             times slightly flared, and having a thickness of about 1.5             to about 3.5 millimeters.         -   Petiole.—Color — Considered yellow-green on younger leaves             (Fan #3, Sheet 144-D) and on older leaves (Fan #3, Sheet             145-C). Within the petiole groove and the petiole ridges,             the color is increasingly darker (Fan #3, Sheet 138-B).         -   Petiole.—Surface texture — Lightly pubescent.         -   Immature leaves.—Surface texture — These leaves appear to             have a higher degree of pubescence than mature leaves. No             glands are present on the petiole.         -   Leaf stipules.—Generally — Small, thin, pale green stipules             can typically be found on new growth. These leaf stipules             are early deciduous.         -   Leaf stipules.—Length — About 6 to 10 millimeters on             average.         -   Leaf stipules.—Width — About 0.5 to about 1.0 millimeters.         -   Leaf stipules.—Form — Considered linearly lanceolate. The             leaf stipules darken and deteriorate within increasing             senescence. -   Flowers:     -   -   Flower buds.—Size — Generally considered large, plump and             conic in form. The buds are considered relatively free from             the bearing stem and are considered hardy under typical             central San Joaquin Valley climatic conditions.         -   Flower buds.—Color — Reddish-brown (Fan #4, Sheet 175-A).         -   Flower buds.—Surface texture — Considered pubescent             especially apically and over the interior side of the bud             scales.         -   Bloom time.—Generally — Average to slightly late in relative             comparison to other common Asian pear tree varieties growing             at the same geographic location.         -   Date of full bloom.—Observed at Newcastle, Calif. on Mar.             31, 2003 and Mar. 24, 2004. In relative comparison to other             known varieties, it should be understood that the date of             full bloom for the Asian pear tree variety “Hosui” was Mar.             29, 2003 and Mar. 19, 2004. Still further, the date of full             bloom for the parent variety “Kosui” at Newcastle, Calif.             was Mar. 28, 2003 and Mar. 23, 2004.         -   Duration of bloom.—Approximately 10 days. The date and             duration of bloom however, can be substantially effected by             the amount of chilling hours that occur during a given year,             and the geographical location where the variety is grown.         -   Flower size.—Generally — Average for the species.         -   Flower diameter.—Approximately 36 to 43 millimeters when             fully expanded.         -   Bloom quantity.—Considered abundant.         -   Flowers per node.—As many as 8 can be produced.         -   Flower petals.—Size — About 18 to about 22 millimeters in             length and from about 14 to about 17 millimeters in width.         -   Petal numbers.—Typically 5, but extra petals can be             observed. As many as 5 extra petals can sometimes be seen.             Double petalled flowers (10 petals) can be found on many             fruiting branches.         -   Petal form.—Considered variable, but most frequently appears             ovate.         -   Petal color.—White (Fan #4, Sheet 155-D).         -   Petal claw.—Shape — Short and truncate in form.         -   Petal margins.—Shape — Undulate.         -   Petal apices.—Form — Variable and having a somewhat pointed             tip.         -   Flower pedicel.—Size — These are variable from about 21 to             about 30 millimeters in length, and from about 1.0 to about             1.5 millimeters in thickness.         -   Flower pedicel.—Color — Pale green (Fan #3, Sheet 145-C).         -   Flower pedicel.—Surface Texture — Pubescent, and further             having moderately sparse filamentous pubescence.         -   Floral nectaries.—Color — Yellow-brown (Fan #3, Sheet             153-B). The floral nectaries become darker with increasing             senescence.         -   Calyx.—Surface Texture — Slightly pubescent.         -   Calyx.—Color — Pale green (Fan #3, Sheet 145-B).         -   Sepals.—Surface Texture — Pubescent.         -   Sepals.—Size — Relatively small and broadly lanceolate in             form.         -   Sepals.—Color — Green-yellow (Fan #3, Sheet 151-B).         -   Anthers.—Size — Considered average for the species.         -   Anthers.—Color — Considered a pale rose (Fan #1, Sheet             51-B). This color appears both ventrally and dorsally.         -   Pollen production.—Considered abundant in quantity.         -   Pollen.—Color — Yellow (Fan #1, Sheet 5-A).         -   Stamens.—Size — Somewhat variable from about 5 to about 8             millimeters. The stamens are about equal in height to the             tip of the pistil.         -   Stamens.—Color — White (Fan #4, Sheet 155-D).         -   Pistil.—Form — The pistil of the present variety has five             styles separated to the ovary.         -   Pistil—Length — Somewhat variable from about 6 to 7             millimeters.         -   Pistil.—Surface Texture — Glabrous.         -   Pistil.—Color — Yellow-green (Fan #1, Sheet 1-D). -   Fruit:     -   -   Maturity when described.—The fruit of the present variety of             Asian pear tree is described at full commercial maturity             hereinafter.         -   Date of harvest.—In 2003, the date of harvest was July 20.             The date of harvest in 2002 was July 25. The date of             harvesting may be effected by seasonal variations. The date             of harvesting, noted above, are those that were observed at             Newcastle, Calif.         -   Fruit size.—Generally — Considered medium to large in size             especially for the early date of maturity. For fruit             harvested from well thinned trees, the fruit diameter was             about 78 to about 86 millimeters; and the fruit had a height             of about 77 to about 81 millimeters.         -   Fruit form.—Generally — Slightly variable from nearly             globose to somewhat turbinate when viewed in its lateral             aspect. The fruit is most frequently globose or very             slightly oval when viewed in transverse section.         -   Fruit symmetry.—Somewhat variable, from fully symmetrical to             slightly asymmetrical or considered lopsided.         -   Fruit stem.—Size — The fruit stem has a length dimension of             about 17 to about 22 millimeters; and a thickness dimension             of about 2.5 to about 3 millimeters.         -   Fruit stem.—Shape — Typically, considered slightly curved.         -   Fruit stem.—Color — Light green (Fan #3, Sheet 144-B).         -   Fruit stem.—Surface Texture — Moderately pubescent.         -   Fruit lenticels.—Color — Light tan and being slightly raised             and oval in form on the fruit stem surface (Fan #4, Sheet             161-A).         -   Stem cavity.—Shape — Considered uniform and acute.         -   Stem cavity.—Size — Considered moderate. The width of the             stem cavity ranges from about 23 to about 28 millimeters             when measured across the shoulders of the fruit. The depth             of the stem cavity is variable from about 6 to about 9             millimeters.         -   Fruit basin.—Shape — Globose in form; relatively wide; and             of average depth. The fruit basin sides are sloping and have             what appears to be a smooth surface. Some russetting is             present within the basin where the sepals were attached to             the fruit. The sepals are considered deciduous.         -   Fruit basin.—Size — The fruit basin has a diameter of about             35 to about 39 millimeters; and a depth of about 13 to about             15 millimeters.         -   Calyx.—Form — The calyx opening is closed. Still further,             the calyx tube is considered long and funnel shaped.             Additionally, stamen remnants are often present in the calyx             tube and are typically located in a marginal position.         -   Core lines.—Generally — These are distinct and clasping.         -   Fruit core.—Position — Distant and considered relatively far             from the fruit stem.         -   Fruit core.—Size — Considered average in relation to the             overall size of the fruit.         -   Fruit carpels.—Generally — Five carpels are present and are             located within the fruit core.         -   Fruit carpels.—Shape — Obovate.         -   Fruit carpel cells.—Form — Generally speaking, these are             closed in form although at times some open cells can be             present.         -   Fruit carpels.—Surface Texture — The inner surface of the             carpel wall is considered glabrous.         -   Seeds.—Numbers — Variable from 2 to as many as 10.         -   Seeds.—Size — Considered plump, and having a length of about             7 to about 9 millimeters; and a width from about 3 to about             5 millimeters.         -   Seeds.—Thickness — About 2 millimeters.         -   Seed apex.—Form — Acute.         -   Seeds.—Color — Dark Brown at full maturity (Fan #4, Sheet             175-A). The seeds color at full commercial maturity is a             lighter tan-brown color (Fan #4, Sheet 164-B).         -   Fruit skin.—Thickness — Considered average.         -   Fruit skin.—Surface texture — Glabrous. The skin appears to             tightly adhere to the underlying fruit flesh.         -   Fruit skin.—Flavor — Considered mild to neutral.         -   Fruit skin.—Color — Predominately yellow-green (Fan #3,             Sheet 151-C), and occasionally, having dark green mottling             (Fan #3, Sheet 144-C), which typically appears at an early             stage of maturity. With advancing senescence, and at full             commercial maturity, the fruit becomes a full substantially             uniform yellow (Fan #1, Sheet 11-A).         -   Fruit skin.—Lenticels — Present. These are small and             relatively inconspicuous.         -   Fruit skin lenticel color.—Very pale yellow (Fan #1, Sheet             1-D).         -   Bloom.—Present, and considered very thin and transparent.             The bloom extends substantially over the entire skin             surface.         -   Fruit flesh.—Color — White with a very slight cream-yellow             tint (Fan #1, Sheet 11-D).         -   Fruit flesh.—Texture — Crisp and considered very juicy.         -   Stone cells.—Generally — Present, and average in number. The             stone cells are located in the vicinity of the core area.         -   Ripening.—Considered even. The fruit holds well on the tree.         -   Fruit flavor.—Considered sweet, refreshing and mild, and             having a very good commercial quality.         -   Aroma.—Considered pleasant, and slight.         -   Resistance to insects and diseases. —No particular             susceptibility where noted. The present variety has not been             intentionally tested to expose or detect any             susceptibilities or resistance to any known plant and/or             other fruit tree diseases.

Although the new variety of Asian pear tree possesses the described characteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailing near Newcastle, Calif., it should be understood that variations of the usual magnitude and characteristics incident to changes in growing conditions, fertilization, pruning, pest control and other horticultural management practices are to be expected. 

1. A new and distinct variety of Asian pear tree substantially as illustrated and described, and which is characterized principally as to novelty by producing an attractively colored fruit which is mature for harvesting and shipment during the second and third weeks of July under the ecological conditions prevailing in the San Joaquin Valley of central California. 